asked the Minister for Health when the new regional health boards will meet; and if the boards, as already set up, will consider rates of expenses for 1971-72.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - New Regional Health Boards.
2.
The first meetings of the Southern and Mid-Western Health Boards took place on Monday last. The Eastern, South-Eastern, Midland and North-Eastern Health Boards will meet tomorrow and the Western and NorthWestern Health Boards will meet on Monday next.
The health boards will not be responsible for the preparation of estimates for the financial year ending on 31st March, 1972.
3.
Mr. Sullivan, Mr. Dunne, Mr. P. Belton
andMr. Hogan asked the Minister for Health who is responsible for paying the salaries of the executive officers of the new regional boards considering that they are no longer servants of the local authority.
Expenses of health boards, including the salaries of the chief executive officers, in respect of the period up to 31st March next will be met from the vote for my Department. Expenses after that date will be met by the boards from their own funds.
Where will the boards get funds if they are not preparing estimates for the year ending 31st March, 1972?
They will get funds from the local authorities. The Deputy must be well aware of the fact that in a changeover of this kind it is quite impossible not to have collaboration between the work of the original health authorities and the new health boards. The health boards are not empowered financially to make decisions on estimates. They are being established on April 1st. There could be no other way except having some transitional stage. That is the transitional stage on this occasion.
Will there be discretion with local authorities as to how much to pay to the health boards?
The local authorities will be advised by my Department in relation to the resources available to them.